I think the argument comes about because gravity appears to function instantly over any distance. It takes the light from the sun several seconds to get here because it travels at the speed of light.

Does it take the gravitational influence of the sun on us the same several seconds to get here? Is the pull of gravity that keeps us in orbit really several seconds old at all times? Much the same as we see distant stars as they looked millions of years ago?????

If the gravity holding us in orbit around the sun is NOT seconds old, then gravity works instantly and appears to travel faster than light. If it does travel at light speed then we're constantly using old gravity.

I guess we could detonate the sun and see how long it takes for it's gravitational influences to vanish. If the gravity dropped off before we saw the light from the explosion, then gravity is faster. If it dropped off at the same time the light reached us, gravity travels at the speed of light.

• Gravity - egauldin - May 9, 2001 - 00:01 UTC